New Books Released in November 2025
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November has arrived, bringing chilly, golden light, deep autumn hues, and the perfect chance to update your reading list with some of the season’s most compelling new releases. As fall deepens across the United States, there’s no better way to welcome the changing weather than by immersing yourself in stories filled with adventure, warmth, and heartfelt moments. Whether you’re enjoying brisk afternoons outdoors, savoring a cozy cup of tea by the fire, or settling in for a quiet indoor escape, these November book picks will keep you captivated throughout the month.
A Diverse Selection of Must-Reads Awaits this September
The Book Guide’ editorial team creates a monthly list of popular new books, based on several ratings. The monthly curated preview of new books covers various genres, including contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, and nonfiction. This month, three standout titles demand your attention.
November brings a thrilling mix of fantasy, strength, and myth, perfectly suited to the season’s deepening introspection. Among the standout new releases, Brimstone by Callie Hart immerses readers in a dark, passionate tale where danger and desire intertwine, offering a gripping narrative filled with intense emotions and unforgettable characters.
In The Strength of the Few by James Islington, epic fantasy fans will find a masterful blend of intricate magic and riveting conflict. Islington crafts a world where courage, loyalty, and sacrifice define the fate of many, pulling readers into a saga rich with powerful storytelling and complex characters.
or those drawn to mythic retellings and fierce heroines, I, Medusa by Ayana Gray reimagines ancient legends through a fresh, bold perspective. Gray’s vivid prose and layered narrative explore themes of identity, power, and destiny, making it a compelling read that resonates with the spirit of transformation so characteristic of November.
What to Read This November 2025: Best Book Releases.
November’s standout titles bring a thrilling range of passion, mystery, and wonder—ideal for cozying up as the season shifts or savoring the last golden days. Be sure to add these to your reading list for a memorable autumn filled with adventure and discovery.
Brimstone by Callie Hart
Brimstone by Callie Hart is the sequel to the popular Quicksilver and the second book in the Fae & Alchemy series. The story follows Saeris Fane, who has unexpectedly become the queen of the Blood Court and is struggling with the heavy burden of her new role. While her ward and brother need her, Saeris finds herself weakened by the changes that have empowered her, making it impossible for her to travel home through the dangerous Quicksilver. Instead, she must send someone else in her place. Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate, hardened by battles and horrors, embarks on a perilous journey with the talkative smuggler Carrion Swift, facing hidden threats in the Silver City. Together, Saeris and Fisher must confront the darkness falling across the realm of Yvelia to save their world and friends, passing through fire and brimstone to do so.
The Strength of the Few by James Islington
The Strength of the Few by James Islington is a highly anticipated sequel to The Will of the Many that dives deeply into themes like adulthood, grief, choices, justice, freedom, ambition, revenge, life, and death. The narrative is told through the perspectives of three characters, offering a complex and richly developed story. The book follows Vis and two new characters, Siamun and Deaglan, as they navigate political intrigue, deadly conspiracies, and apocalyptic threats in a world connected across multiple parallel realities. The story is noted for its intricate world-building, morally challenging dilemmas, and intense, brutal action, making it a compelling continuation of the series with strong emotional and philosophical undertones.
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray is a reimagined origin story that transforms the iconic Greek mythological monster Medusa into a powerful and provocative young heroine. The book follows Meddy, a young woman who feels out of place among her immortal family and yearns for adventure. When she is chosen by the goddess Athena to train as a priestess, Meddy’s life seems full of promise until a violent encounter with Poseidon changes everything. Punished unjustly with her hair turning into snakes, Medusa embraces a new identity as a vigilante, rewriting her story not as a victim but as a mortal, martyr, and myth. The novel explores themes of rage, heartbreak, love, sisterhood, and the cruel games of the Olympian gods, providing a deeply emotional and empowering retelling of a misunderstood figure from mythology.
The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a thrilling romantasy and murder mystery based on the legend of Bluebeard. The story follows Mallory Fontaine, a self-proclaimed expert on the infamous Count Bastien Saphir (Monsieur Le Bleu) who brutally killed three of his wives a century ago. Mallory, who can only see ghosts and does not possess real witch magic, and her sister run a business selling fake spells and conducting tours of the mansion tied to the murders. When Armand, Bastien’s great-great-grandson, offers Mallory a large sum to rid the family estate of the ghost, she accepts despite her lack of true magical powers. As new murders occur, Mallory must solve the mystery, maintain her deception of witchcraft, and navigate complicated feelings, including a romance with Armand, while uncovering dark secrets of the House Saphir.
Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
“Brigands & Breadknives” by Travis Baldree is a cozy fantasy novel that follows Fern, a seasoned bookseller experiencing a midlife crisis and seeking a fresh start by moving to the city of Thune. The story explores Fern’s adventures after a drunken night leads her into unexpected company, including a legendary warrior, a chaos-goblin, and a talking bread knife, as they undertake a quest to deliver a goblin relative and claim a bounty. The book is noted for its warm characters, humor, and heart, expanding Baldree’s signature style of character-driven fantasy with a greater scope of action and adventure, while still emphasizing themes of self-discovery and found family.
Fallen City by Adrienne Young
“Fallen City” by Adrienne Young is a fantasy novel set in the Greco-Roman inspired city of Isra, which is on the brink of rebellion. The story centers on a forbidden romance between Luca, a legionnaire symbolizing the rebellion representing the lower city, and Maris, the daughter of a high-ranking Magistrate from the ruling Citadel. The city’s magic, tied to the blood of powerful Priestesses, is waning as the gods grow angry and the rich become more corrupt while the lower classes suffer. Luca aims to overthrow the Citadel and cleanse the city, but this pursuit comes at the cost of his love for Maris. Their relationship threatens the city’s fate, divine will, and their own duties, placing them on opposing sides of a conflict that challenges their chances of being together. The narrative richly evokes ancient classical antiquity through its world-building, culture, and detailed setting, immersing readers in a lush, politically charged fantasy.
Dawn of Chaos and Fury by Melissa K. Roehrich
Dawn of Chaos and Fury by Melissa K. Roehrich is the fourth and final book in The Legacy Series, a new adult dark fantasy romance. The story follows Tessalyn Ausra, who faces betrayal and hard choices that challenge her purpose and path, standing at a critical crossroads between salvation or destruction. Alongside her, Theon St. Orcas grapples with sacrifices and secrets while preparing for a looming threat to their realm, and Axel St. Orcas fights to unite fractured kingdoms while battling dark forces. With morally complex characters and a narrative filled with vengeance, chaos, and alliances, the book explores the question of who will survive when chaos reigns.
Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton
The book “Seven Deadly Thorns” by Amber Hamilton is a dark academia romantasy set in the cursed Kingdom of Aragoa, where magic is outlawed and punishable by death. The story follows Viola Sinclair, a student with forbidden shadow magic who becomes the target of a prince and assassin, Roze Roquelart, tasked with killing her within seven days. However, they must work together amid deadly threats, secrets, and an unexpected attraction, forging a tense enemies-to-lovers relationship. The novel explores themes of villainization, difficult choices, and queerness through a gripping narrative enriched with magic, danger, and romance.
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
“Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore” by Emily Krempholtz is a cozy fantasy romance about Violet, a former villain who was the dark sorcerer Shadowfade’s right-hand. After his defeat, she seeks a fresh start in the small town of Dragon’s Rest, determined to leave her dark past behind and live a peaceful life as a flower shop owner. Violet’s journey is one of redemption as she opens her heart to the townsfolk and navigates a slow-burning romance with the grumpy alchemist Nathaniel Marsh, who shares her greenhouse. Together, they must confront a magical blight threatening the town, while Violet struggles with whether she deserves happiness after her villainous past. The book blends warmth, suspense, and humor with themes of second chances, found family, and healing from trauma, all wrapped in a magical, small-town setting with charming characters and quirky magical elements like a sentient, knife-obsessed houseplant..
Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff
Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff is the epic conclusion to his internationally bestselling series. The story follows Gabriel de León, who, having lost his family, faith, and his surrogate daughter Dior—the last hope to end an endless night—embarks on a journey with loyal brothers into the war-torn heart of Elidaen to confront the Forever King. Meanwhile, a powerful relic called the Grail races toward the besieged capital of Augustin in a desperate hope to end a catastrophic condition known as Daysdeath. Amid deadly political treachery and impending battles, Gabriel and Dior face a final confrontation that will shape the fate of their empire, with trust becoming a scarce commodity—even between them. The novel is marked by intense themes of vengeance, faith, and sacrifice, weaving a complex narrative of dark fantasy and heroism.
Nash Falls by David Baldacci
Nash Falls by David Baldacci is a thriller centered on Walter Nash, a high-level financier with a happy family life, whose world is turned upside down when the FBI recruits him to go undercover. After the funeral of his estranged Vietnam-veteran father, Nash is approached to infiltrate a global crime network laundering money through his company, Sybaritic Investments. The mastermind behind the operation is Victoria Steers, an international criminal the FBI has long sought to capture. As Nash tries to bring her and her partners to justice, he faces deadly consequences and must transform into someone completely opposite to survive and seek revenge, risking everything he has known.
We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart
“We Fell Apart” by E. Lockhart follows 18-year-old Matilda Klein, who discovers her reclusive artist father, Kingsley Cello, when she receives an unexpected invitation to spend the summer at his seaside mansion. Upon arrival, she finds her father mysteriously absent and encounters a group of intriguing characters including her half-brother Meer, a former child star in recovery, and other teenagers living in the house. The story unfolds around Matilda’s exploration of family secrets, complicated relationships, and a mysterious, privileged world full of intrigue and unsettling truths. Lockhart’s novel is a thrilling blend of suspense, romance, and complex character dynamics set in the atmospheric setting of Martha’s Vineyard, continuing themes of obligation and commitment with a captivating narrative style.
The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan
The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan is a thrilling dark-academia novel set in remote St Andrews, Scotland, weaving a tale of murder, obsession, and ruthless ambition. The story follows Dr. Anya Brown, a cryptic manuscript specialist, who is drawn into a mysterious conspiracy involving two rival secret societies of women fighting for control over a priceless medieval manuscript. Parallelly, detective Clio Spencer investigates a suspicious death linked to these societies. The novel explores themes of power, legacy, and feminist struggles, with rich atmospheric settings and multi-perspective storytelling that escalates into a tense, unputdownable thriller.
What She Saw by Mary Burton
What She Saw by Mary Burton is a chilling suspense novel about investigative reporter Sloane Grayson who returns to her small hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to solve a cold case involving the disappearance of four women at a music festival decades ago. One of the missing women is Sloane’s mother, and although the event promoter was convicted, the bodies were never found, leaving the case unresolved for Sloane. With Sheriff Taggart deceased, Sloane uses his case notes to reopen the investigation, uncovering resistance from the town and danger to herself as she seeks the truth. The dual timeline narrative enhances the suspense, blending present-day investigation with past events at the festival.
Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
“Cursed Daughters” by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a darkly humorous novel that follows the Falodun family of Nigerian women, who are believed to be cursed to never have lasting relationships with men. The story begins with Monife, a young woman who tragically drowns, and on the day of her funeral, her cousin Ebun gives birth to a daughter, Eniiyi, who closely resembles Monife. The novel explores whether this resemblance signals a reincarnation and whether the family curse is real, weaving together themes of fate, tradition, and the struggle for personal control across generations. The book moves between different timelines and perspectives, blending modern skepticism with supernatural belief as the women try to navigate their destinies.
